Chemainus Aerial Photos

Chemainus, a small coastal town of 550, is located on Vancouver Island’s east shore between a mountain range and the ocean. With a failing resource-based economy in the early 1980’s, the town decided to create giant outdoor murals to revitalize the town and increase tourism in the area. The strategy worked and Chemainus earned the nickname, “the little town that did.”

While Western Forest Products still has a sawmill in the town, the primary economic boost is from tourism. Be Ferries has a terminal in Chemainus where the small ferry, MV Kuper provides service to Thetis Island and Penelakut Island.